The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-05-21
AGRICULTURAL LIBRARIES.

Every one feels the value of conversa-
ton with sensible men, rs to pursuits
with which they are familiar, and which
are also OF interest to us. Frequent OPP
portunities of enjoying this pleasant
mode Of instruction are afforded to the
inhabitants Of towns and cities. From
these opportunities, the life of the farmer,
to some extent, debars him. To make a
visit to a neighbor involves some degree
of effort on his part-the horse must be
saddled or harnessed, perhaps taken from
the plough. Thus, important questions
remain unanswered, and erroneous prac-
tees are pursued, which a few minutes
cow ersation with an intelligent friend
would have answered or rectified. Dur
ing the long winter evenings, or during
the weary rainy days, or during those
periods OF the summers day when our
fiery sun drives us indoors, how pleasant
would it be to have with us a sensible
man, with whom we could interchange
thoughts on subjects of common interest
to the farmer.
Books, to some extent, supply this in
herent defect of country life. Works on
modern agriculture are of comparatively
recent origin. Some admirable treatises
on agriculture were written by the an
clients. But after the decline of the Ro-
man Empire, agriculture seems to have
been considered an ignoble pursuit
proper only for Doors and peasants. Re-
Gently it has changed its character in the
estimate of men. 1t is now coming to be
regarded as an occupation in which sci
ence is quite as necessary to a great sue
cess as practice. By science we do not
mean collection of very hard names
strung together in formidable order.
But by science we mean knowledge
knowledge as opposed to ignorance
The scientific farmer is he who under
stands the best way of doing that which
he desires to do and the reasons for it.
OF course his knowledge must be accom-.
panied with industrious practice, or it
will be of little worth to him.
Since the application of science to ag-
riculture, treatises upon agriculture have
been greatly multiplied. We said that
books supply, TO some degree, the place
of conversation. In some respects they
are superior to it, if we consider the draw
backs usually connected with converse
ton in country life. For instance, we
wish to introduce a better form of gate
upon our farm. We are not certain which
is the best form. There are two ways of
getting this information. One is to go to
our most sensible neighbours plantation
and see how his gates are made. But
this requires the loss, perhaps of good
part of the day, and we have at last the
gate OF but one man-there may be 9TH
ers better than his. Another way is to
step to our library, take down " Loudon's
Encyclopedia of Agriculture" look in the
index for the word gate, turn to the proper
page, and, at your leisure and without
leaving your room, examine almost any
form of farm gate which has been used
with success. This gate illustration
opens the way to a whole field of agricul-
tural inquiry.
These silent, yet instructive eompan-
ions, books, possess some advantages over
the living teacher. Their board costs
nothing. They exhibit no impertinent
curiosity as to our domestic affairs. They
vex us by no annoying questions. They
manifest no rude impertinence at the
slowness with which we receive their in
struetions. They give us full time for
reflection. They are never wearied by
repeating the same lesson TO us. They
are always in a good humor and ready to
instruct us, whether it be during the long
winter evening or the rainy day, the sui
try heat of midday. or the exigence of a
pressing and urgent inquiry.
Every farmer should have his agricul-
tural library, as certainly as his pillow or
wagon.